Jigra box office collection day 5: Alia Bhatt-starrer struggles to cross ₹20 crore amid controversies

admin August 29, 2023

The much-anticipated Alia Bhatt starrer Jigra has been struggling at the box office since its release, and as it enters its fifth day, the film has yet to cross the ₹20 crore mark. Despite the immense buzz surrounding the film prior to its release, Jigra is facing significant challenges, from lukewarm reviews to controversies that have hampered its box office performance. The movie, which marks Alia Bhatt’s return to the big screen after the success of Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani, was expected to be a major hit. However, five days into its release, the film’s earnings remain underwhelming, prompting concerns about its future at the box office. On its fifth day, Jigra has struggled to gain traction at the box office, bringing its total earnings to an estimated ₹18-19 crore. The film, directed by Vasan Bala and produced by Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions, opened with a modest collection of around ₹5 crore on its first day. While the initial buzz suggested that the film would pick up momentum over the weekend, it managed only a slight improvement on Saturday and Sunday, with collections hovering between ₹4-5 crore each day. As the film entered Monday, the collection saw a sharp dip, bringing in just around ₹3 crore, and by Tuesday, the numbers continued to drop, with an estimated ₹2-3 crore on the fifth day. This brings the total collection of the film to just under ₹20 crore, a figure significantly lower than expected for a movie headlined by one of Bollywood’s most bankable stars, Alia Bhatt. Several factors have contributed to Jigra’s disappointing performance at the box office, ranging from stiff competition, mixed reviews, and the impact of controversies that have surrounded the film since its release. One of the most critical factors impacting Jigra’s box office performance has been its mixed critical reception. While Alia Bhatt’s performance has generally been praised, with many acknowledging her dedication to the complex role, the film as a whole has received a lukewarm response. Critics have pointed out several issues with the film’s pacing, plot, and character development, with some calling it “uneven” and “inconsistent.” The narrative, which revolves around a young woman, played by Alia Bhatt, who seeks justice for her brother after a tragic incident, was expected to resonate with audiences due to its emotional depth and socially relevant themes. However, many viewers have found the execution lacking. The film’s tone, which oscillates between a gritty revenge drama and an emotional family saga, has been criticized for failing to strike the right balance. While there are moments of brilliance, particularly in Alia Bhatt’s performance, the movie’s overall impact has been diluted by a convoluted script and underwhelming direction. Word of mouth, which is often a crucial factor in a film’s box office success, has not been in Jigra’s favor. Many moviegoers have expressed disappointment on social media, with some describing the film as “underwhelming” and “forgettable.” This mixed reception has significantly impacted the film’s ability to draw large crowds, particularly after the first weekend, when word-of-mouth promotion becomes essential for sustaining box office collections. In addition to its creative challenges, Jigra has also been embroiled in several controversies that have overshadowed its release. One of the major issues has been a dispute over the film’s portrayal of certain sensitive subjects, which has sparked debate on social media and in the press. Some sections of the audience have criticized the film for allegedly mishandling themes related to justice and gender dynamics, accusing it of being tone-deaf or insensitive in its approach.

This controversy has led to calls for boycotts on social media platforms, where hashtags like #BoycottJigra have gained traction. While these online movements may not always translate directly into box office numbers, they can have a negative impact on public perception and discourage certain demographics from watching the film. In the case of Jigra, the backlash seems to have had a tangible effect on its box office performance, particularly among urban audiences who tend to be more active on social media. The controversies have also led to divisive opinions about the film, making it difficult for Jigra to secure the universal appeal that big-budget Bollywood films often rely on. Another significant challenge for Jigra has been the stiff competition it faces from other films currently running in theaters. The film was released alongside several high-profile movies, including Akshay Kumar’s action-packed thriller Mission Eagle and Ayushmann Khurrana’s family entertainer Dream Girl 3. Both of these films have been performing well at the box office, with Mission Eagle in particular emerging as a favorite among action movie lovers, drawing away a significant portion of the audience that might have otherwise watched Jigra. In addition to these domestic films, Hollywood releases such as Marvel’s The Marvels and Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer are still drawing large crowds, especially in metropolitan cities where multiplex audiences often prefer international blockbusters. This intense competition has limited Jigra’s ability to dominate the box office, particularly in urban centers, where the target audience for Alia Bhatt’s films typically resides. While Alia Bhatt enjoys massive popularity in urban areas and among younger audiences, Jigra has struggled to make an impact in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, where the film’s themes and narrative style may not resonate as strongly. Films with more mass appeal, such as Mission Eagle and Dream Girl 3, have outperformed Jigra in smaller towns and cities, where audiences tend to prefer lighter, more action-oriented or comedic films over intense dramas. The lack of a strong supporting cast with widespread appeal may have also contributed to the film’s limited reach. While Alia Bhatt’s star power is undeniable, Jigra does not feature other major Bollywood stars who could have drawn in more audiences from different demographics. This has made it difficult for the film to compete in regions where multi-star vehicles or films with strong male leads typically perform better. With Jigra struggling to cross the ₹20 crore mark after five days, the question now is whether the film can recover.